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A survey by commercial property firm DeVono has found that 80 per cent of London office workers still prefer old-fashioned newspapers, despite the increased availability of digital news and a downward trend in paid printed newspaper circulation. DeVono believes the results may be down to the availability of free printed publications, and the lack of internet access on the Underground and Overground commuter networks.

Conventional wisdom says digital news is putting printed news to bed, with most of the big dailies launching online offerings to cater for the tablet and smartphone generation.

(PRWEB UK)16 June 2014

Despite the rise in digital news services, Londoners still reach for printed newspapers for their daily dose of news, according to new findings by DeVono.

The London commercial property firm’s annual survey found that only 20 per cent of London office workers surveyed prefer reading their daily news online, with the rest opting for a traditional printed newspaper.

However, national daily paid newspaper circulation has been in constant year-on-year decline since 2000, according to Communications Managagement Inc.*

Adam Landau, Director of DeVono, said: “Conventional wisdom says digital news is putting printed news to bed, with most of the big dailies launching online offerings to cater for the tablet and smartphone generation.

“Londoners are a digital-savvy bunch, so it’s unlikely they prefer printed news because they don’t know how to access the digital versions.

“People working in the capital are lucky enough to have easy access to free newspapers like the Evening Standard and the Metro on their way to and from the office. So it may be that these ‘grab-and-go’ printed versions are simply more convenient for commuters in the capital.

“Or it could be because they simply can’t access digital news when they need it most.”

It was strongly agreed by over 80 per cent of people asked that high-speed, free-for-everyone, open-zone internet access in central London is ‘long overdue’.

“The fact that many digital versions of newspapers require a pre-downloaded app and an internet connection to download could be locking Londoners out.

“Unless London office workers plan in advance, they will find it difficult to download newspapers on the go on a 3G/4G connection and with limited access to Wi-Fi while underground on the tube network.”

“London should be staying ahead of other key international cities, with large volumes of office space, by providing this by 2015,” said Adam.

“So although ‘grab and go’ is the easiest option for now, better Wi-Fi access would let Londoners stay switched on to world news, wherever they are.”

Other key findings in DeVono’s 2014 London office survey include:

Nearly half of the participants said their company offered flexible working hours.

‘Grab and go’ lunches are still popular, despite the difficult financial climate, with 57 per cent of respondents saying they opted for pre-made meals from shops like Pret a Manger.

More than 64 per cent said they would welcome a free lunch at work, rather than complimentary breakfasts, dinners or tea-time snacks.

A third of survey participants said they buy coffee from coffee shops, rather than making their own or using facilities at work.

The majority of London office workers surveyed said they would be happy to travel for up to an hour to get to work.